The thought of a Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and even a Neymar Jr being among us in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) is not too far-fetched, said Lisa Morris-Julien, Junior Minister in the Ministry of Education.
Morris-Julien’s comment came at the launch of the SSFL season at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain on Thursday before a large appreciative crowd that comprised members of the SSFL executive, sponsors and several other dignitaries.
The league is set to kick off on September 8 with a clash of last year’s Coca-Cola and Premiership finalists St Benedict’s College and Fatima College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 4 pm.
And to ensure that all get the opportunity to see the matches this season, either via television or via an App, SportsMax, the regional sports cable network announced through its chief executive officer (CEO) Nicholas Matthews that it has renewed its three-year contract with the schools’ league.
SportsMax is one of two sponsors renewing its contract with the SSFL, with the other being Coca-Cola, the title sponsor of the league InterCol play-offs.
This year the league will also boast of retaining longstanding sponsors Shell as well as the National Gas Company (NGC) who through its head of Communication and Brand Nicola Ghouralal, said they want to invest in human energy.
Ghouralal said her company’s sponsorship of the league is an indication that they believe in the youth.
In 2022, St Benedict’s defeated Fatima 3-1 to claim the Premier Division title, but the Fatima boys returned to gain sweet revenge in the National Coca-Cola InterCol final by winning 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The league represented the future of T&T on and off the field. Yesterday, Morris-Julien said, as a former footballer herself she knows of the efforts and benefits of the league and didn’t doubt the fact that a future star footballer can be in the league.
“The Secondary School Football League has a legacy of fierce competition and friendly rivalry. I grew up in a time with the Blue Thunder (El Dorado East) and the Green Machine (St Augustine Senior) and it has maintained a strong following from not only the students but also from the communities of these schools. To this day, everyone can say their favourite football team,” Morris-Julien said.
“In all areas of youth development, you know the African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. The Secondary Schools Football League is indeed a village that the Ministry of Education is proud to be part of.”
Following on the heels of the Commonwealth Youth Games, which Morris-Julien said provided an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talent, she noted also that the SSFL presents yet another opportunity for our young athletes to shine and show their skills in sports.
“I grew up with Stern John, Dwight Yorke, Jason Scotland, Kenwyne Jones, and it’s not impossible that one day, Messi, Ronaldo, and or Neymar could be among us today,” Morris Julien said.
“Sports as we know it, is not merely a physical activity but it’s a powerful tool for character building and discipline. It’s a platform that fosters lifelong skills that extends far beyond the playing field. Through sports, we learn the importance of dedication, we learn discipline, time management, and the pursuit of excellence.”
This year the league will feature some 6,000 players from 100 registered schools in 398 teams. And among these figures will be 10 teams from a new 13 and Under girls’ division that will come on stream, come September.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian
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